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Convicted Texas serial killer may be linked to multiple cold cases in Austin: report
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Convicted Texas serial killer may be linked to multiple cold cases in Austin: report

Texas investigators believe a convicted serial killer serving life in prison may be connected to more cold cases in Austin.

Raul Meza Jr., was convicted of murder Jesse Fraga and Gloria Lofton in September 2024

In March 2023, Meza called the Austin Police Department and turned himself in, Fox 7 Austin first reported.

“This time was a little different than any other time I’ve ever answered the phone. The caller said my name is Raul Meza and I think you’re looking for me,” described Austin Homicide Detective Patrick Reed. 7.

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Raul Meza Jr.

Investigators say a convicted serial killer may be connected to several cold cases in Austin. (Fox 7 Austin)

During the 14-minute call, Detective Reed said Meza revealed a lot of information before hanging up.

“He was giving dates and locations, so we were trying to corroborate just the dates, locations, names that he would provide and try to narrow down the timeline,” Detective Reed said.

During the call, Meza admitted to Reed that he killed the man he lived with in Pflugerville, Jesse Fraga. He went on to say he also killed a woman who lived on Sara Drive in 2019.

Investigators have put together a case for the murders of Gloria Lofton and Jesse Fraga. A warrant was issued for Meza’s arrest, law enforcement tracked him down at a bus stop in north Austin, where he was then taken for questioning. Detective Reed described the conversation with Fox 7 as “unique.”

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Convicted serial killer Raul Meza Jr.

Raul Meza Jr. was convicted of murdering Jesse Fraga and Gloria Lofton in September 2024 (Austin Police Department)

“Someone like Mr. Meza has been incarcerated, he’s been through the system quite a bit, he’s been interviewed by the police probably countless times, more than most, so he’s very attuned to the situation he’s in, so he hasn’t been caught . unanticipated or apparently concerned in any way,” Detective Reed said.

Meza was previously sentenced to 30 years in prison for the 1982 murder of 8-year-old Kendra Page, but was paroled after serving just 11 years of his sentence.

Last month, Meza pleaded guilty to Lofton and Fraga’s murders and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, Fox 7 reported.

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Photography by Raul Meza

Raul Meza, 63, is believed to have killed at least two people, but law enforcement officials said he is connected to at least 10 homicides in Texas. (Austin Police Department)

“I think the sentence highlights the work that was done as much as it might highlight what it means to the community for someone like him to be incarcerated for life without parole,” Detective Reed said.

However, Detective Reed told Fox 7 the work is far from over.

“We’re still working to corroborate some of the things he said in the phone call,” Detective Reed said.

Detective Reed told Fox 7 that so far, Meza has been cleared of connection to eight cold cases in Austin.

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“We have four more cases that we’re still waiting for the DNA tests to come back to determine if we have anything to do with him or not,” Detective Reed said.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Austin Police Department for comment, but did not immediately hear back.